Free HIV and Hepatitis C Testing Offered

posted on Thursday, July 12, 2018 in General

Free HIV and Hepatitis C testing will be available in Spencer on Thursday, July 7 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Clay County Public Health offices, located within the Spencer Medical Arts Building, 116 E. 11th Street, Suite 206. This free and confidential testing is being sponsored by Siouxland Community Health and Spencer Hospital Clay County Public Health.

“The HIV and Hepatitis C testing provided in Spencer, by Siouxland Community Health professionals, is free and confidential,” explained Angel Smith, RN with Spencer Hospital Clay County Public Health. Appointments are not necessary.  Parking is available on the south side of the building. Please use the entrance to Avera Medical Group Spencer and ask to be directed to the Public Health office. 

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people ages 13 years to 64 years be tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care. An estimated 1.1 million persons are living with HIV infection in the United States.  Of those, about 1 in 7 are unaware of their infection and may be unknowingly spreading the virus.  The first step is to know one’s status.

The CDC recommends Hepatitis C testing for everyone born between 1945-1965, in addition to anyone who has used injection drugs.

For more information, call Clay County Public Health at (712) 264-6468.